Evaluation and Demonstration of Drip Irrigation System For Tomato and Onion Production at Agro Pastoralist-S Field in Abaala Woreda, Afar Region
Evaluation and Demonstration of Drip Irrigation System For Tomato and Onion Production at Agro Pastoralist-S Field in Abaala Woreda, Afar Region
Evaluation and Demonstration of Drip Irrigation System For Tomato and Onion Production at Agro Pastoralist-S Field in Abaala Woreda, Afar Region
The arid lowlands of Ethiopia form one of the most vulnerable and food-insecure regions in the
world. Out of a population of 11 million, about 3.4 million who live in the arid lowlands of
Ethiopia depend on food aid. Droughts in the years 2000, 2005, 2008 and 2011 raised the
number of food-aid dependent people to 5.7 million in 2011(Mehari et al. 2013). These drought
periods commonly cause water shortages and impose additional restrictions on farm productivity
and profitability. Under these circumstances, farmers often seek alternatives to increase their
productivity and net return per unit of water applied by converting from furrow to drip irrigation
systems and implementing irrigation scheduling strategies.
INTRODUCTION
The state of Jharkhand with large population of tribal farming community is often characterized
with low production and productivity of horticultural crops. The traditional cultivation practices
lead to below average productivity of many horticultural crops. Water scarcity is the critical
constraint that precludes the tribal farmers from cultivation of vegetables crops during the dry
season (Rabi and Summer). The main source of income of the tribal farmers is agriculture and
almost 66% of the total populations of Jharkhand depend upon agriculture. Land use statistics
suggest that in spite of large cultivable area (52%), only 22% is under cultivation which is below
the national average of 47% (Petare, 2016). Agriculture is predominantly rain fed and mono-
cropped in Jharkhand. Horticulture is marginally developed in the tribal areas with the present
area under fruits, vegetables and spices accounting for only about 2.5% of the cultivated area.
The major constraints in the area are steep slopes with undulating topography, severe water
erosion and low water holding capacity of soils. Erratic rainfall, lack of irrigation facilities, poor
water retentive capacity and high permeability of the soils are the major problems limiting
successful double-cropping.
Promoting use of water efficient technologies for better utilization of available water resources to
increase the productivity and acceptance of horticultural crops in these areas was a major
challenge. In general, traditional flood irrigation methods (basin, border and furrow) are being
used, where the entire soil surface is almost flooded without considering the actual consumptive
requirements of the crops. Frequent over or under irrigation create the problems of water stress
or water logging leading to reduced irrigation efficiency (<30 %) (Ishfaq, 2002). This highlights
the need to adopt modern efficient irrigation method of drip which offers several advantages over
furrow irrigation including higher water and fertilizer use efficiency and high yield (Camp et al.,
2001).
Drip irrigation method applies water and nutrient directly to the root zone of plants (Sharma,
2001). Its major advantages as compared to other methods include higher crop yields, saving in
water, increased fertilizer use efficiency, reduced energy consumption, reduced labor cost,
improved diseased and pest control and feasible for undulating sloppy lands (Michael, 2008). In
a study Yildirim (2000) also reported that drip irrigation generally achieves better crop yield and
balanced soil moisture in the active root zone with minimum water losses. On the average, drip
irrigation saves about 70 to 80% water as compared to conventional flood irrigation methods
(Camp et al., 2001).
Many researchers have proved the superiority of drip irrigation over other conventional method
of irrigation in
improving yield and WP of fruits and vegetable. There are very few studies that looked in to all
the economic aspects of
drip systems with the aim of promoting the system among tribal farmers. Participatory evaluation
of this technology in
farmers’ fields will not only demonstrate the potential benefits of the technology to farmers but
will also help in assessing
the ground realities and problems faced by the farmers in large scale adoption of this technology.
The present study made a
comparative evaluation for drip and furrow methods of water application in terms of yield and
WP. The study further
extends to economic analysis of these systems with the aim of convincing the farmers about the
profitability of drip
irrigation.
Aba’ala woreda, located in the arid lowland area, had been affected by severe droughts and
famine for years (Kifle 2004).
There is no perennial water source to support crop production in the area. However, Aba’ala
receives intense short duration floods coming from Didiba Derga-Ajen highlands in Tigray
Regional State. Efficient and effective diversion and distribution or storage of the floodwater
would make water available in Aba’ala Plain that is inhabited by agropastoralists. Spate flow
was considered to be the most economical and the only resource of water for crop production
(spate irrigation), livestock production and domestic uses.
Water required by crops is supplied by nature in the form o f precipitation, but when it becomes
scarce or
its distribution does not coincide with demand peaks, it is then necessary to supply it artificially,
by
irrigation.
Tomato (Lycopersiconesculuntum L.) is the most important and widely grown vegetable in the
world. Its importance is increasing in Ethiopia too (Lema, 2004). It is widely accepted and
commonly used in a variety o f dishes as raw or cooked or processed products more than any
other vegetables. Ideally, in irrigation schemes, crops do not suffer from water shortages as
irrigation wrater is applied before the crops are go under drought stress. However, it may not be
possible to apply the irrigation water exactly when it would be best. The farmers may be badly
organized and lose too much water at the upstream end o f the scheme, thus causing problems
dow'nstream. The scheme management may decide to spread the available water over a large
area, thus allowing more farmers to irrigate, although less than the optimal amount.
In Eastern Ethiopia, smallholder farmers largely depend on erratic and often insufficient rainfall,
which is
significantly reduced their production and productivity. In addition, other factors that have
contributed to
this are continuous land degradation, and excessive deforestation. Therefore, to overcome such
problems,
water harvesting, has importance role for farming community. Even though, it needs special
emphasis to
enhance rain water harvesting for irrigated agriculture and development and promotion
government have no or give less attention.
A huge activity of rain water harvesting for irrigation and irrigation scheme are going in the
region especially in Eastern Harerge zone, however, the proper management o f irrigation water
has received inadequate attention given the high cost o f irrigation development. Until now the
paradigmatic irrigation strategy has been to supply irrigated areas with sufficient water so that
the crops transpire at their maximum potential and the full evapotranspiration requirements are
met throughout the season (Howell, 2001).
Irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation supply water directly to the plants effective root zone
and thereby minimize water loss to evaporation and seepage compared to surface irrigation.
Malash et al. (2005) recorded higher yield of tomato under drip irrigation than surface irrigation
system. In areas where water is scarce, these techniques can greatly increase the efficiency o f
w'ater delivery. However, most of the drip irrigation technologies w'ere not promoted and
utilized by the farmers due to lack of awareness and technical knowledge on the technology.
Therefore this study was conducted to evaluate and demonstrate drip irrigation system on
performance of different tomato varieties in Babile and Dadar District o f Eastern Hararghe Zone
o f Oromia.
About 90% of the irrigated land o f the world is irrigated using relatively inefficient surface
irrigation
methods (FAO, 2002). Similarly in Eastern Ethiopia traditional surface irrigation methods (basin,
border
and furrow) are widely used to irrigate crops, though there is acute water shortage. In this region,
traditional surface irrigation methods has long been practiced at different farm levels, however,
there is no
efficient and well managed irrigation water practice. There are very few or no information
regarding
appropriate irrigation water management practices for the rapidly expanding small scale
irrigation farms
in the country. Now a day the modern, high-tech and efficient micro irrigation methods (drip,
bubbler,
sprinkler etc.) are advocated worldwide. Efficient irrigation system or method, such as drip
irrigation
supply water directly to the plants effective root zone and thereby minimize water loss through
evaporation, deep percolation and runoff as compared to surface irrigation. To overcome such
problem in
areas where water is scarce, the use of modern irrigation techniques will greatly demanding.
Therefore;
the aim of this study was to evaluate the performance o f hot pepper varieties under drip
irrigation system
using rain water harvested from roof top.
Agriculture is the mainstay of the Ethiopian economy in terms of income, employment and
generation of export revenue. It directly supports 85% of the population and 80% of the export
value in Ethiopia. Among the sub-sectors of agriculture, crop production is a major contributor to
GDP accounting for approximately 28%.
Efficient irrigation methods or technologies include the advanced irrigation systems like
sprinkler irrigation and drip irrigation. Sprinkler irrigation is a type of pressurized irrigation that
involves applying water to the soil surface using mechanical and hydraulic devices that simulate
natural rainfall. The goal of irrigation is to supply each plant with just the right amount of water
it needs. Sprinkler irrigation is a method by which water is distributed from overhead by high-
pressure sprinklers on risers or moving platforms. Today a variety of sprinkler systems ranging
from simple hand-move to large self-propelled systems are used worldwide. Drip irrigation is
based on the constant application of a specific and calculated quantity of water to soil crops.
The system uses pipes, valves and small drippers or emitters transporting water from the sources
(i.e. wells, tanks and or reservoirs) to the root area and applying it under particular quantity and
pressure specifications. Managing the exact moisture requirement for each plant, the system
significantly reduces water wastage and promotes efficient use. Compared to sprinklers systems
which can provide 75 per cent efficiency, drip irrigation can provide as much as 90 per cent
water-use efficiency (Tanji and Kielen, 2002 in Clements et al., Technology Action Plan Report
2011)2.Drip irrigation is an interesting choice however, one needs to customized it for the given
crops and available costs. Taking the advantage of height, gravity dependent drips could be
developed in Bhutan to save energy costs.
River, the rest are totally depend on rainfall for crop production. “Meher” (that
extends from June to September) is the main rainy season during which food cropsare
grown. Even during this main season of production, the occurrence of rainfall
is unreliable. Late or early occurrence, uneven distribution, interruption and
insufficiency of the rainfall are common in the area. Scanty showers that fall
during “belg” season can only support some grass for livestock.
Therefore, water-harvesting technology (WHT) is being introduced by the ADP to
counter the effects of the adverse natural conditions noted above and enhance food
production through intensive backyard gardening using the water collected in the
structures.
1. Introduction
Water scarcity and utilization has been a long existing problem in Sub-Saharan African
countries. Due to erratic and irregular rainfall, agriculture has, at times experienced devastating
periods that were disastrous for the food security of the people. Although the rainfall, combined
with the water resources of the country, should be sufficient to pursue durable and sustainable
agriculture, factors like infiltration, evaporation and different types of erosion have (put a halt
to this possibilities) curtailed its achievement. In collaboration with Israel drip irrigation plastic
tube producer; Plastro P.L.C., SG 2000/Ethiopia has been introducing drip irrigation system
along with proper watershed Management, to enable farmers achieve sustainable agriculture in
some countries.
2. Irrigation
Although irrigation has long been a vital part of agriculture in sub-Saharan
African countries, it has not earned its rightful place yet. Generally there are four
systems of irrigation.
- Surface irrigation
- Sprinkler irrigation
- Sub irrigation
- Drip irrigation
5.1.1 tools
Tools measurement Quantity Unit price Total price remark
Water label ps 04 2 each site
Blade ps 70 1 each HH
Rake ps 10 2 each group
Fork ps 70 1 each HH
Digging mattock ps 10 2 each group
Water can ps 70 1 each HH
total
-3-
5.2 training cost breakdown: budget=560 euro or 17360 birr